ARLA promotes good practice as tenant demand soars

Permalink: ARLA promotes good practice as tenant demand soars
by Gill Montia

The Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) is warning landlords not to get carried away by the steep rise in the demand for private rental accommodation resulting from the downturn in the housing market.

Earlier this week, letting agent Hamptons International reported a 33% increase in tenancies outside London, in the first quarter of this year.

ARLA is keen to point out that both the law and best practice have changed since the early 1990’s, when tenant demand also rose sharply as house prices fell.

The association’s head of operations, Ian Potter, is concerned that some landlords may be too busy building up their businesses to comply with safety legislation or tenancy deposits requirements.

He is also keen to prevent a rise in the number of letting agents that are not members of a professional organisation.

Mr Potter would like to see all tenants and landlords protected by a properly drawn up tenancy agreement, inventories and tenancy deposit protection.

Specialist insurance cover for the lettings market should also be in place, as should contracts for gas and electrical appliances.

ARLA continues to promote its aims of licensing for all letting agents and membership of an accredited scheme for all landlords.